sententious
abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims: a sententious book.
given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.
given to or using pithy sayings or maxims: a sententious poet.
of the nature of a maxim; pithy.
Origin of sententious
1Other words for sententious
Other words from sententious
- sen·ten·tious·ly, adverb
- sen·ten·tious·ness, sen·ten·ti·os·i·ty [sen-ten-shee-os-i-tee], /sɛnˌtɛn ʃiˈɒs ɪ ti/, noun
- non·sen·ten·tious, adjective
- non·sen·ten·tious·ness, noun
- un·sen·ten·tious, adjective
- un·sen·ten·tious·ness, noun
Words Nearby sententious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sententious in a sentence
"No fief can remain in the possession of a woman," was the sententious utterance of the bailiff.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman | Eugne Sue“He may delay his defense if he like,” said a sententious young officer to whom I had imparted this natural wish.
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce | Ambrose BierceAnother long and deliberate pause succeeded these sententious questions and ready replies.
The Last of the Mohicans | James Fenimore CooperAs soon as the door had closed behind him, several of the gamesters exchanged sententious nods and glances.
The Sorrows of Satan | Marie CorelliThus appealed to, however, he answered his friend in his ordinary sententious manner.
The Deerslayer | James Fenimore Cooper
British Dictionary definitions for sententious
/ (sɛnˈtɛnʃəs) /
characterized by or full of aphorisms, terse pithy sayings, or axioms
constantly using aphorisms, etc
tending to indulge in pompous moralizing
Origin of sententious
1Derived forms of sententious
- sententiously, adverb
- sententiousness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse